5 Ways To Add Bonus Nutrients To Your Herbal Tea, From A Health Coach

As much as I love my daily cup (or three) of coffee, tea has always been the soul-soothing brew I reach for when I need some bonus well-being support. Beyond its delicious flavor and warmth, different types of tea—green, purple, rooibos, herbal, white, black, pu-erh, mate, oolong—may help promote brain function1, cardiovascular health2, and radiant skin, to name a few perks.

Turning for tea can be a fabulous way to support your healthy lifestyle, give your body a nutritious boost, and feel your best all day long. While a simple cup of tea packs so many potential health benefits, as a health coach, I've also discovered some clever ways to add an extra nutrient zing to my favorite brews:

Kicking the habit of excessive sugar consumption may help keep chronic disease3 at bay. So if you find yourself craving a little sweetness in your tea, there are plenty of natural sugar alternatives that won't drastically affect your glucose levels—and can even add a dose of nutrients. A small amount of antioxidant-laden lucuma powder, stevia (ideally, organic), or a drizzle of honey might be healthier options to keep your sweet tooth satisfied.

A squeeze of vitamin-C-rich citrus is a fantastic way to level-up your herbal concoction. Lemon, grapefruit, kinnow, mandarin, yuzu, orange, sweet lime, pomelo, kumquat, Buddha's hands, tangerine—the choices are endless when it comes to adding a beneficial, immune-supporting tang to your tea. 

Try maximizing the healing properties of your next brew with some anti-inflammatory, health-friendly gusto. Turmeric, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, grated ginger, thyme, or fresh mint leaves are some of my go-to additions to support immunity and help rev up digestion.

Adding vanilla pods to your herbal cup might sound indulgent, but the rich, perfumed flavor is worth the splurge. I like vanilla's exotic aroma because of its enlivening yet calming effect on my senses. A little goes a long way: For an individual brew, add the seeds from half a vanilla pod to your pot of water and simmer on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. For my favorite combination, add this sensuous ingredient to a high-quality black tea and a splash of nondairy milk.

Whenever you're ready to put the kettle on, consider these options to add a healthy zest to your brew.